WWCP7

Walking Holiday Coastal Path

Cowes - Yarmouth A gentle introduction to the Isle of Wight Coastal Path with mildly rolling landscape to follow. There is plenty to see on this section, starting out with the Royal Yacht Squadron as you leave Cowes. In addition to the world-famous Cowes Week in early August, there tend to be boating events on at most times throughout the season. The trail leads you along cliff tops before descending onto the beach at Thorness bay where your likely to see wading birds, including oyster catchers, ringed plovers and redshanks. It was at this beach during World War II that the pipeline used to supply fuel to the invading allied forces came ashore. After the Thorness Holiday Village you veer away from the coast and inland through the Newton National Nature Reserve with further bird watching opportunities on offer. Shortly thereafter, the trail makes its way back towards the coast, eventually arriving in the attractive, bustling town of Yarmouth.

Yarmouth - Brighstone This section of the Isle of Wight Coastal Path is dominated by the three pinnacles of the Needles with the Old and New Batteries and the Black Knight missile test site (The best view of the Needles is from the Old Battery which is National Trust property so do not forget your card if you are a member!) and the multi-coloured cliffs of Alum bay. From The Needles and Scratchells Bay, the trail continues along the chalk ridge of Tennysons Down past the Tennyson Monument following chalk cliff tops past Compton Bay with its excellent beaches. From there you pass along Brighstone Bay before arriving in your destination of Brighstone.

Brighstone - Niton This section of the Isle of Wight Coastal Path features the Isle of Wights famous chines (coastal gullies). Whale Chine is the most spectacular in a series of Chines along this stretch of the coastline. Chale Bay was at one time known as the Bay of Death, sixty ships were lost here between 1746 and 1808. Nearby are the Wealdon Beds which have yielded fossilised remains of dinosaurs. With these and features like the St. Catherines Lighthouse at St. Catherine